National

The Delhi Police is planning to integrate over 1.8 lakh CCTV cameras installed by resident welfare associations, housing societies and market associations to keep a watch over the city as both the AAP government and police failed to add enough security cameras on their own.

According to data available, the Delhi Police added just 87 surveillance cameras in the last one year, despite the crime rate rising by nine per cent in the corresponding period. Adding a CCTV cover over the Capital had also been a big poll promise of the Aam Aadmi Party government, but it has failed to fulfil it so far.

Police sources said that CCTV cameras have been helpful in cracking a number of complex robbery cases and murders where there was initially no solid evidence, so they are now mulling how privately owned cameras can be linked to police stations.

A study was also conducted recently after Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik held a meeting with the senior officials to discuss preventive methods that can be taken to curb crime in the city.

"Once all the private cameras are connected with the monitoring rooms of the local police stations, then concerned officials of that police station will be dedicated to keep a tight vigil on the footage 24X7," a police officer said.

Special officers will also be shortlisted by SHO of each station and will be trained to scan CCTV footage in an effective manner, the officer added. He or she will be provided data related to those out on parole, bail or those recently released so that their movements can be tracked, the cops said.